Union Govt creating financial constraint, Virbhadra Singh claims

Lambloo/Hamirpur: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has blamed Union Government for creating financial constraint in the state, by chocking up funds under centrally-sponsored schemes.

Raining doubts over the pattern of funding by NITI Aayog, octogenarian Congress leader said the state used to receive central assistance in the ratio 90:10, but after formation of the Aayog, funds to the state have been reduced drastically in centrally-sponsored schemes.

Singh said that hill states were also enjoyed special category status earlier and after formation of the Aayog its special industrial package also withdrawn and adversely affecting the state.

Virbhadra Singh said that however state had received more than Rs 2767 crore before winding up of the Planning Commission during the UPA’s regime, but the assistance had been discontinued after NDA government came into power at the centre. He claimed the state didn’t receive any amount under head of General Central Assistance during year 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Demanding a separate provision of funds for the hill states, due to its tough topography, the Chief Minister said the responsibility of Union government was to provide funds equally to the states for development.

Virbhadra Singh said that India was a Union of States and without States India can’t be imagine as a whole, adding that only the Union territories were under the direct control of the Central government and were governed by the Centre whereas the States were autonomous.

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